Patriots Phifer, 35, continues to defy his age

FOXBORO, Mass.  Bill Belichick wasnt sure whether or not Roman Phifer would fit in with the New England Patriots prior to the 2001 season.

Michael Parente

Published 12:00 am, Saturday, October 18, 2003

He coached him while with the New York Jets in 1999, but now that Phifer was 33, Belichick wondered if the linebacker still had enough left in the tank. To help make up his mind, he sought out the advice of Willie McGinest, who worked out with Phifer in the offseason in Los Angeles. Belichick was thrilled with McGinests report.

"I asked him how Phifer was doing, what kind of shape he was in. He said, Well, Ill tell you right now, weve got very few guys who will be able to keep up with him," Belichick said. "For McGinest to say that  and hes a very hard worker and a hard trainer  that was really impressive to me." That made the decision a no-brainer, so in the first week of August, Phifer signed with the Patriots and reunited with Belichick. Two years later, its clear that Phifer not only has plenty of gas left in his tank, but hes not even close to empty.

Through six weeks this season, Phifer, 35, is second on the team with 45 tackles, only seven behind veteran Tedy Bruschi, whom hes played next to at inside linebacker since the second week of the season.

Last weekend against the New York Giants, Phifer finished with a season-high 19 tackles in one of the finest performances Belichick has seen in years.

Phifer was in on almost every play and punished whoever dared to carry the ball in his direction, mostly running back Tiki Barber, who was on the wrong end of several collisions.

"We definitely recognized it," Belichick said.

"It was pretty impressive. He had a lot of production, a lot of tackles, a lot of big hits. He was around the ball a lot, both run and pass. He did a heck of a job." "You never really plan it. Its kind of spontaneous," Phifer said. "Im just trying to play football." Considering his work ethic, Belichick is not surprised to see Phifer playing so well in the latter stage of his career. With constant weight-training, and plenty of rest, he takes care of his body as well as any player in the NFL, which is a major reason why he is still going strong. When Belichick signed him in 2001, he wanted to use him primarily as a role player. Now his role is to play on every down.

"It worked out that way, but I have no complaints," Phifer said. "I like being on the field, I like being able to contribute. It shows that the coaches have confidence in me, even in my 13th year, that I can still play."

Phifer has also helped the Patriots with his versatility. Throughout his entire career, which included eight years with the Rams, he played as an outside linebacker, but when starter Ted Johnson fractured his foot in Week 1, Phifer had to step in and take over on the inside.

The transition was fairly easy because Phifer took some snaps at the position during training camp. He was ready when his number was called. Belichick wasnt concerned because Phifer has had experience in almost every role.

The only issue was his size, but Phifer has proven that his 248-pound frame can handle the workload.

"Hes out there on first down, hes out there on second down, hes been in the pass rush and he always ends up covering good people," Belichick said.

"He always ends up taking the best guy. Hes been on all the special teams, he plays in a goal-line situation. Hes been playing good football for 20 years now  Im sure in high school, too  but at a real high level for a long time, week after week, year after year, down after down."

When he was drafted by the Rams in 1991 after a stellar career at UCLA, Phifer never imagined hed be playing this long.

"I couldnt think that far ahead," Phifer said. "Its impossible to do that. I knew I wanted to play in this league for a long time, but I didnt know Id be able to do it for 13 years." Is there a secret to his longevity? Not really. Phifer has taken the obvious steps over the years to stay in playing shape  weight lifting, etc.  but he said a lot of has to do with luck.

"Its a blessing from God," Phifer said.

"You cant really prevent injuries. Ive been blessed to not experience anything major, and I try to eat well and get enough sleep a night." Belichick simply feels lucky to have him. Without Phifer, the already-depleted defensive backfield would look even emptier.

"Hes a special athlete," Belichick said. "Hes had a great career. He just keeps on trucking."